SDP on tour ...sunburnt in Villefranch-sur-Mer

A holidaying British mother and daughter in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

SDP on tour.... the market in Villefranche-sur-Mer

I imagined that the vendor in white was showing his colleague a new app on his phone!

The wares they were beautifully displayed. I wonder if "ancient iPhones" will ever be so lovingly arranged on a market stall?

SDP on tour . . .Villefranche-sur-Mer

SDP on tour....Villefranche-sur-Mer

From the railway station. Can you spot the posing couple from yesterday on the beach?

SDP on tour....The beach at Villefranche-sur-Mer

I have wanted to visit Villefranche-sur-Mer since I glimpsed it from the railway station a few years ago. This year I got the chance.

It's a lovely town, and great place to swim.

From the railway platform there's a fantastic panoramic view.

The couple above were entirely aware of themselves, posing in the most self-conscious of ways. Maybe they were even the grandchildren of this 1960s postcard couple, who seemed rather more oblivious to their surroundings!

SDP on tour . . . African music in Gorbio

The band of entertainers were from Burkina Faso in West Africa. It was previously known as Upper Volta, and is a former French colony. It's had a pretty turbulent political history.

 

Here's a couple of short videos to give you a flavour

SDP on tour . . African night in Gorbio village

Gorbio is a medieval village in the hills above Menton. It osts numerous cultural festivals, particularly in summer. This night was an African night. Before the entertainment we all sat in the main square of the village and dined on African-inspired food, and drank some wine.

This adorable baby and her family above were part of the spectators. I just love that these events involve the whole community, and multiple generations of family. I can think of very few occasions other than family-specific celebrations where this happens in my home city....

Darkness fell and the singing and dancing began....which I will show tomorrow.

SDP on tour ... the shower

Recently Jilly from Menton Daily Photo commented that the beach showers in Menton are superior to those in Ventimiglia - and they are!

SDP on tour ... angel in Old Menton cemetery

SDP on tour ... bougainvillea

SDP on tour . .. anyone home?

Can I come in please?

SDP on tour ...colour

We are in the old town of Menton. As with yesterday's photo of the cat, the colours - the shade of yellow and the pale green attracted my eye and seem to be the signature colours of the old town of Menton.

SDP on tour ... trompe l'oeil in Old Menton

At the top of l'escalier Saint-Michel, shown yesterday, is this building with trompe l'oeil windows. Trompe-l'oeil literally means "deceive the eye".

SDP on tour ... into Old Menton

There's several ways to enter the Old Town of Menton. You can chose to climb the stairs to the Basilica of Saint-Michel, the spire of which dominates the skyline.

I plan to spend the next few days having a poke around the old town.

SDP on tour ....Paparazzi in Menton

Photographers only need apply????

Theme Day .... Mystery Object (SDP on tour)

These children in Menton certainly thought this busker was a mystery object! They were very intrigued to know where his head and face were!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

SDP on tour....Horizon in Menton

SDP on tour ... Menton covered market

The covered market in Menton, built in 1898, has some beautiful belle epoque decorative flourishes.

SDP on tour ... people watching in Menton

...watching you, watching them.....one of the greatest pleasures in life : sitting in a cafe watching the world go by.

SDP on tour ... boats in Menton